Search for missing jet skier enters day four

Aug 1, 2018 | 9:58 AM

KAMLOOPS — The search continues today for a jet skier who went missing in the South Thompson River Sunday.

The man, who has yet to be named, went missing after he collided with another jet skier around 5:30 p.m. that day in the Valleyview area.

“Today Kamloops RCMP are out on our police boat,” notes Kamloops RCMP Cpl. Jodi Shelkie. “As well, our RCMP helicopter will be out surveilling the river. They’ll be out there this afternoon.”

She admits river conditions always make recovery missions difficult.

“It’s always a challenge when you’re searching for a body in a river as rivers change from season to season and from day to day almost. So, it’s really challenging to figure out where the person could be and when they will show up.”

On Tuesday, the RCMP dive team were out conducting a sonar search which unfortunately came up empty. She says the dive team won’t be out today.

Kamloops Search and Rescue is assisting with the search and has deployed its swift water and drone teams.

“We’re looking at five or six different areas as well as continuing to search riverbanks with drones,” says spokesperson Alan Hobler. “The drone provides an advantage….drones can do high definition imagery, which you can review later.”

Based on calcuations, he says there’s a good chance the body could be recovered in the coming days.

The other jet skier involved in the collision is said to be okay.